New York City

Pat and Phyllis suggested that they take us to a train station in Westport, CT, and we travel to New York City for the day, since Sunday was supposed to be much colder. On Saturday we decided to do exactly this and had a wonderful day. After an hour train ride we disembarked from the train at Grand Central Station and with our bus pass were whisked up Madison Avenue and then walked a block west to Park Avenue to see the Guggenheim. Unfortunately, it was under extensive construction, and we could not see the exhibit as we wound down the famous ramp. Undeterred, we walked back to Madison Avenue and found a deli for lunch. Then back to Park Avenue to walk a short distance to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. We spent several hours there viewing the Egyptian exhibit (Is there anything left in Egypt?) and the American exhibit, looking especially for Tiffany Glass and Frank Lloyd Wright's work. Did you know that Louis Comfort Tiffany was also a painter? He certainly was a multi- talented artist. We could have spent many hours and probably many days and never begin to see this extensive collection.

Reluctantly, we left and headed downtown again by bus to the Empire State Building and decided to ride up to the viewing deck on the 86th floor. We had to go through extensive renovation and listen to much hawking of souvenirs but persevered and enjoyed the sights of this magic city from this high vantage point. I particularly enjoyed the Tower of Babel feeling as I heard so many languages being spoken by the many visitors to the city and at the top of the Empire State Building. How wonderful that so many visitors want to see this building, built at the height of the depression in the 1930's. Did you know that much of the steel work for the building was done by Iroquois Indians?

We returned quickly by elevator to the street level and rode the bus again, this time to Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall. We decided to stop at Maxie's for dinner and met a very cute waitress, Natalia, who could be the twin of the actress (Minka ...) who plays Lila on Friday Night Lights. We told her to send her picture to the TV show and maybe they would discover her, and she could be Lila's lost twin sister from NY City. We found out that Natalia was from Tennessee, a ballet student, and working her way by waitressing. She just came from a tryout where 175 girls showed up and maybe one would be selected for a revival of Phantom of the Opera. Obviously, this is a very competitive business. At one point in our meal she brought us a free dish of Cole slaw and pickles, which we thoroughly enjoyed. The dessert of New York Cheesecake was superb.

Back to Grand Central Station, and after an hour trip back to Westport, we were met by Pat and whisked back to their home for the shank of the evening. It was a delight to revisit in a tiny way, New York City.